Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Friday said he was powerless in deciding on demands to revise the reservation for the Panchamasali Lingayat and Kuruba communities, throwing his hands up on a politically-sensitive issue.
“We’re a national party, not a regional party. On any issue, decisions have to be taken after consulting the PM and other leaders. I don't have any authority to take any decision (on any of these issues)," Yediyurappa said in the Assembly, angering those from the Panchamasali sect who are asking to be given Category 2A status. The Kurubas are agitating for ST status.
"We have 25 MPs. You can take whoever you want and meet Central leaders. As far as I'm concerned, I'm not in any position to give any solution. I state clearly that it can't be done," Yediyurappa added.
He made this statement in response to BJP legislator Basangouda Patil Yatnal, who sought clarity from the CM over demands made by the communities.
Kudalasangama Panchamasali Mutt pontiff Basava Jaya Mrutyunjaya Swami, who is leading the Category 2A agitation, asked Yediyurappa to resign. "This has rubbed salt on our wound. (Yediyurappa) had assured us that it would be done. He has lost his mind and age is catching up. It's time he stepped down and another Lingayat is made the CM," he told reporters.
The Panchamasali seer is leading a padayatra to Bengaluru to press for their demand. At present, the Veerashaiva-Lingayats currently get 5% reservation under Category 3B. They will get 15% under Category 2A. Numerically, the Panchamasali sect is the most influential among Lingayats. Yediyurappa belongs to the Ganiga sect of Lingayats.
In November 2020, Yediyurappa deferred a decision on including the Veerashaiva-Lingayats in the central OBC list after he reportedly got a call from Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Soon after Yediyurappa made the statement, Yatnal lashed out saying the CM cannot take shelter under the PM. "It's your responsibility to send a recommendation to the Centre. This is a conspirancy to deprive our communities of better opportunities," he said.
Later in the day, Small Scale Industries Minister CC Patil, Mines & Geology Minister Murugesh Nirani and Yatnal - all Panchamasalis - held talks with Basava Jaya Mrutyunjaya Swami to chalk out the next course of action.
The Kuruba community is also taking out a 20-day padayatra seeking ST status. They are currently OBCs in Karnataka.